JPH01185727A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the unauthorized use of an information processor operable by plural different capacity from being performed by inspecting a capacity condition set in the processor at the time of selling and the capacity condition desired by a purchaser by enciphered information supplied to the purchaser at every start of an operation. CONSTITUTION:When a power source is applied, a microprocessor 13 reads the model of its own device and a user identification number from a model setting switch 11 and a user identification information holding circuit 12. Next, a floppy disk 15 supplied to a user at the time of purchasing the device is inserted, and a model division and the user identification number are read by a floppy disk reader 14. Next, the microprocessor 13 decides the validity of both the model and the user identification number from a read-out content and a read-in content, and supplies the information of the model division to a clock generator 2 when the operation is available. The clock generator 2 holds the supplied information of the model division at a model register 21, and supplies the output of the model register 21 to a selector 23. In such a way, it is possible to eliminate the unauthorized use of the device.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an information processing device, and particularly to an information processing device that can operate with a plurality of different performances.

[Conventional technology]

In general, information processing apparatuses are divided into several models and sold by differentiating their CPU performance, input/output configuration capabilities, and the like. As means for making this performance different, methods such as changing the operating clock speed of the device, inserting a dummy step in a built-in microprogram, and changing the number of connected processors are used.

By the way, with recent advances in integrated circuits, one-chip processors and the like have been realized, and the size of the device does not vary greatly depending on the model. Therefore, even if a large number of models are set, a device that can handle the maximum configuration is created with the aim of mass production, and differences between models are made only by adjusting internal switches and microprograms, and processors are added only in special cases. This is achieved by doing the following.

On the other hand, users purchase a model according to its performance, and when changing to a higher-end model with higher performance, they pay an additional fee and use CP.
We are taking a method of having U-boards etc. replaced.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, unless the model change requires the addition of special circuit parts, the above-mentioned information processing equipment can be relatively easily changed to a higher-performance model, so it is often used by illegally changing the model. There are problems.

An object of the present invention is to provide the purchaser with encrypted information including performance conditions when selling an information processing device, and to ensure that the information input by the user when using the device and the usage conditions set in the device are The object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that eliminates unauthorized use by operating the information processing device when the information matches.

[Means for solving problems]

The information processing device of the present invention is an information processing device capable of operating with a plurality of different performances, and includes a performance recognition means for recognizing performance conditions inputted to the information processing device and permitted by a user; a configuration recognition means for recognizing a circuit configuration for operating at a pre-specified performance; and a configuration recognition means for determining the operation of this information processing apparatus based on the usage conditions obtained from the performance recognition means and the configuration conditions obtained from the configuration recognition means. and determining means for determining whether or not it is possible.

〔Example〕

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention, showing a case in which a dedicated floppy disk is provided to a user when an information processing device is sold. In the figure, the information processing device includes a diagnostic processor 1, a main processor 3, an input/output processor 4, and a cross generator 2 connected to a diagnostic processor 1, which are connected to a common bus. has been done.

The diagnostic Bromo 1 has a model setting switch 11, a user identification information holding circuit 12, a microprocessor 13, and a floppy disk reader 14, and is capable of reading a floppy disk 15 provided to a user via a disk interface 14. is now possible. The clock generator 2 includes a model register 21 that holds the model designation output from the microprocessor 13, a clock generation circuit 22 that generates a plurality of clock signals, and a selector 23 that selects these clock signals. , supplies the selected clock to the main processor 3 and the input/output processors.

Further, at the time of sale of this information processing device to a user, the model classification of this device and the user identification number corresponding to the purchaser are determined, and a diagnostic Bromo is established.

The determined model classification is set by the model setting switch 11 of step 1, and the determined user identification number is stored in the user identification information holding circuit 12. - On the other hand, the purchaser is provided with a program disk 15 on which the model classification of the device and a user identification number are written.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a program built in the microprocessor 13 shown in FIG. 1 from power-on to start of operation. Below, the operation shown in FIG. 1 from start of operation will be explained with reference to FIG. 2.

When the power is turned on, the microprocessor 13 first reads the model and user identification number of its own device from the model setting switch 11 and the user identification information holding circuit 12, respectively (steps 2). Next, the floppy disk 15 provided to the user when purchasing the device is inserted, and the model classification and user identification number are read from the floppy disk reader 14 (steps ①). Next, the microprocessor 13 determines the validity of the contents read in step ■ and the contents read in step ■ (step ■), and if operation is possible, transmits the model classification information to the clock generator 2. give to The clock generator 2 holds the information of the given model classification in the model register 21, and
The output is given to the selector 23. The selector 23 selects the clock signal corresponding to the model sent from the clock generation circuit 22, and the setting of the operating conditions of the sending device to the main processor 3 and input/output processor 4 is completed (
Step ■). The operation is then started (step ■).

If it is determined that there is no validity in step ① and operation is prohibited, information on the model classification is not sent to the clock generator 2, and, for example, a message indicating that operation is not possible is displayed on the display board, and the device is not operated. Stop operation (step ■).

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the present invention, in which the diagnostic processor 1 shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a hardware-based operation determination circuit. The model setting switch 11 and the user identification information holding circuit 12 are the same as those with the same reference numerals in FIG. 1, and the disk interface 31 reads the floppy disk 15 and outputs the stored model classification and user identification number. It is a circuit. - When the power is turned on and the model classification is input from the disk interface 31, the numerical circuit 32 reads the model classification from the model setting switch 11, and outputs "1" when the two match. Further, when the user identification number is input from the disk interface 31, the minus number circuit 33 reads the user identification number from the user identification holding circuit 12, and outputs "1" when the two match. The gate circuit G1 sends "1" to the gate circuit G2 when "1" is inputted from both of the two matching circuits 32 and 33. When the gate circuit G2 receives "1" from the gate circuit G1, the gate circuit G2 transmits the model classification information from the model setting switch 11 to the clock generator 2.
Transfer to. Thereafter, operation is started in the same manner as in the case of FIG. In this embodiment, after reading the floppy disk,
If no coincidence is found in the coincidence circuits 32 and 33 for a certain period of time, a message indicating that operation is not possible is displayed and the operation of the apparatus is stopped.

In the above embodiment, the circuit configuration for operating with pre-specified performance was a combination of a model setting switch and a user identification number. It only needs to be encrypted that cannot be easily changed, and if it is numerical information that is easy for the seller to set up the model and difficult for the buyer to decipher, it can be sent to the buyer without using a floppy disk etc. Even if the user is informed of numerical information and has the user input this numerical information from a keyboard or the like prior to operating the device, it does not matter whether it is in one line or not.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained in detail above, according to the present invention, an information processing device that can operate with a plurality of different performances is provided to the purchaser with the performance conditions set in the device at the time of sale and the performance conditions desired by the purchaser. Since the encrypted information is inspected each time the vehicle starts operating, it has the effect of preventing unauthorized use.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a portion of a program used in the microprocessor shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a portion of another embodiment of the present invention. 1...Diagnostic processor, 2...Clock generator, 11...Model setting switch, 12
...User identification information holding circuit, 13...
・Microblosse, Tsusa, 14...Floppy disk reader, 15...Floppy disk, 2
1...Model register, 22...Clock generation circuit, 31...Disk interface, 32.33...-Several circuit, Gl. G2...Gate circuit. Agent Patent Attorney Oto Uchihara

Claims (1)

[Claims] In an information processing device capable of operating at a plurality of different performances, a performance recognition means for recognizing performance conditions inputted to the information processing device and permitted by a user; a configuration recognition means for recognizing a circuit configuration for the performance recognition means; and a determination means for determining whether or not the information processing apparatus is operable based on the usage conditions obtained from the performance recognition means and the configuration conditions obtained from the configuration recognition means. An information processing device comprising: